Part Two- Look Higher by Lyn Cote

“Ellie Smith? We’re from the Mack and Middy Show–On the Road! You’ve been selected as this afternoon’s beauty makeover!”
“What?”
“Madge sent us a letter, submitting your name. Are you ready?”
Too stunned to speak, Ellie gawked, open mouthed.
“Turn off your computer! Let’s go!”
The next hours flew by. Ellie was shampooed, styled, manicured, made up and dressed.
Finally, center stage, she heard her name announced to a cheering audience. Mack and Middy showed the video taken at her office, then skillfully drew out facts about her. “Now,” Middy, a perky redhead, asked, “Do you have a special man in your life? What’ll he say when he sees the new you?”
Ellie moistened her lips and smiled shyly. “I doubt Ned’ll notice. He’s the absent-minded genius-type.”
“Oh, I think he’ll notice,” Mack chortled. The show swirled to its close.
Ellie thanked Mack and Middy. Then she was back in a white limo which dropped her off at the front of the plant once more.
When she stepped into the office, it was empty except for Madge who was waiting for her. “You look wonderful—“
“Why did you send in my name, Madge?”
“I wanted you to feel as beautiful outside as you are inside.”
“I’m numb, like a tornado has just blown me over.”
Madge did a little jig. “You’ll certainly make a splash at the party tonight!”
Bemused, Ellie didn’t know what to think about the party.
After Madge left, Ellie retrieved her purse from her locked file cabinet. The warehouse door opened. Ellie stepped out into the aisle and nearly ran into Ned, a tall and thin engineer.
Ned’s eyes behind slightly cocked glasses opened wide. “Ellie?”
“What do you think?” Smiling, beginning to believe maybe she really looked a little beautiful, she twirled once like a little girl in a new dress.
“I…I…I….” Ned’s eyes glazed over, his mouth hung open. He looked like a dead mackerel. “You’re beautiful.” He sounded dumbfounded.
A thrill of pleasure zipped through her. “Thank you, Ned. It couldn’t come at a better time with the company party tonight. What do you think this new dress?” Ellie held out her flared black skirt.
Ned cleared his throat. “I’m not going with you tonight.”
“Not going? Why not?”
“I can’t go with you looking like that!”
Ellie frowned. “Like what?”
“Like a movie star!” “A what?” “Everyone will want to talk to you, not me. I really need to network tonight. I want that senior engineer position too much.”
“Ned, I can’t believe–”
Ned edged away. “This has thrown me off completely. I had everything planned.” He hurried to the door. It shut behind him with a swoosh.
He’s standing me up! Anger flared in her. Ellie stomped out and sped off in her car. She reached the hotel where the affair was being held and marched in.
Just inside the door of the banquet room, her anger deserted her. She couldn’t take another step. What if everyone thought her makeover ridiculous? She could already feel the humiliation.
“Ellie, you’re here.” Beaming down at her, Hugh took both her hands in his. “Mr. Hensley was just talking about that brilliant, money-saving proposal you sent him.” Smoothly, Hugh guided her to a knot of people she had worked with for years.
She received warm compliments on her appearance and her luck at winning a makeover. Ned came late, but amid all the people Hugh drew around her, Ned was easy to ignore.
Later when Hugh and she stood next to her car in the moonlight, she let her gaze linger on his kind face. “I don’t know when I’ve had a better time.”
“I enjoyed being with you. You look especially lovely tonight.” Her chin dipped. She thought of Madge’s words. Just because of Hugh’s handsome exterior, she had thought he couldn’t be interested in her and Hugh had asked her out even before her makeover.
“Ellie, I’ve always thought you were a diamond in the rough, but tonight you really shine.” Leaning down, he brushed her lips with his.

*** From their perch on the top of the hotel, two angels smiled down at the couple. “You did it, Magdelana.” Madge, really Magdelana, smiled. “Hugh deserved someone special. He’s been through so much.”
“Ellie’s perfect for him.” The other angel shook her head. “What did she ever see in Ned? What a lowlife.”
“That was the problem all right.” Madge grinned beatifically. “Ellie wasn’t looking high enough.”

So what do you think? Did I surprise you at the end? Do you look higher?